Interview about Aisanka Information Magazine, winner of the A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award 2025
She was asked to create a cover illustration with the theme of Aichi Prefecture Festivals in order to spread the appeal of Aichi Prefecture (history, culture, industry, etc.) to the whole of Japan and the world. She observed festivals unique to Aichi through video and documents, captured their characteristics, and expressed the fun and uniqueness of the festivals in her own way through illustrations.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe first thing I received as reference material was a videotape of a festival in Aichi Prefecture.I wasn't born in Aichi Prefecture, so it was my first time seeing a festival in the prefecture.Just watching it, I was surprised and intrigued to learn that there are so many interesting (and little-known) festivals.I think the best way to convey the appeal of a festival is to experience it firsthand, be moved by it, and then create a visual.(There was probably no time or budget for this job.)I wanted to encourage people to visit the festival site by illustrating the charm and dynamism of this interesting festival.To that end, I often watched the video and drew scenes that moved me.
Even in Aichi, the festivals that are rooted in the local community are very interesting and fascinating.They are unique festivals that are specific to the area and have been supported and passed down by the land and its people since ancient times.There are many other festivals in Aichi that are known nationwide, but the festivals that people hold to worship gods and offer to them in ancient times (as opposed to commercial festivals) are very interesting (these are often called strange festivals).I picked out and drew some lesser known local festivals that fit the season.
Even before 1994, my illustrations had a fictional animal motif.The first illustration for "Aisanka" wasn't festival-themed, it was a dragon illustration.Perhaps it was the impression I got from the illustrations that inspired the image of a festival?I was just starting out as an illustrator at the time, so I don't really know what kind of impact this information magazine had on the Aichi Expo held in 2005 or the international situation.As for me, it was that I got more work drawing illustrations of festivals (though I don't draw them as much nowadays).I also got more work drawing World Heritage sites.There are still many unique festivals in Japan and around the world, and I would like to draw them again if I have the time.
The Tahara Kite Preservation Society's festival is held on Children's Day in May. The main event is a kite battle.The winner is the one who entangles the strings of their kite with the opponent's kite and cuts the strings high in the sky.We also make and fly large kites to celebrate the birth of a child, and at that time we teach children how to make kites.It was a festival where adults took on a serious challenge.Going to the site and experiencing it still brings back vivid memories, and unlike photos and videos,it is an important element of expressing things through illustrations.I think it is important not just to draw illustrations, but to convey the passion of the people involved in the festival and culture.
I did not use any special techniques or colors to express the energy and emotion of Aichi Prefecture's festivals.I think the unique warmth is the result of the goodness of hand-drawn art (fuzzy lines, uncertain shapes, etc. that can never be expressed on a computer).I did not choose any particular colors to express this, but if I had to say,I think I chose the paints used in festivals (red, green, navy blue, ochre, etc.) because I wanted to express the fun and energy of festivals.
I haven't done anything special to promote old festivals to modern audiences.I don't think there is anything more interesting and fascinating than old festivals.Festivals that were born in a place and have been passed down since, and continue to this day, have a certain charm and power to attract people (beyond age, people and race).I just enjoyed drawing them.
It was a time when you couldn't easily research things on the internet like you can today,so I think I would have gone to a bookstore to check a guidebook, or I would have gone to the location in person to check things out.I actually watched a video of the festival put out by Aichi Prefecture and drew it. (I probably also went to a library and looked at photos, right?)What I remember well is that the festival video was very interesting and entertaining.
There are many seasonal festivals that are still celebrated in Aichi Prefecture. There are many interesting festivals that are not yet known in each region.The publication schedule was managed, so I chose two or three festivals that were held during that season and drew rough sketches from them to create the book. I don't think there was any problem with the seasons not matching (not having enough festivals).
The more I draw an illustration without being at the festival, the more I look at reference materials.I try to draw as faithfully as possible (colors, shapes, format, etc.) things that are actually used at festivals, such as festival costumes and props.However, I was free to use my imagination wherever I could. I tried to draw it as fun and lively as possible, making it make you want to go out.
In rural areas, young people leave their hometowns to go to school, and when they return, there are no jobs.This is why the population is still increasingly moving to cities.Even if they want to hold festivals, there are no young people to carry them on. There are people, but they're mostly elderly...If this continues, the festivals that were once a given will no longer be possible. Festivals are an important tool that connects people, and if there are no people to carry them on, it's difficult to get them back. I hope that they will be cherished and passed down.I would be happy if I could help convey that charm with my illustrations.
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